Catholics are a minority in Sagada, Mountain Province but they are happily starting to practice devotions like the community praying of the Angelus, first Friday of the month eucharistic adoration, the solemnities of Christ the King, and Corpus Christi where the blessed sacrament accompanies the people in a solemn procession.
The eucharistic adoration started in 2020 but for almost a year now, some members of the community still do not appreciate it. Maybe the church has to work more on its catechism.
Human as we are, sometimes, frustrations creep into our enthusiasm to serve due to the poor participation and appreciation of people to the devotions.
The daily holy masses, which started four years ago is also privilege for barangay Kilong but few people attend.
The Sagada Catholic Basic Ecclesial Communities (BEC) had their first experience of eucharistic procession two years ago during the solemnity of Christ the King. The common sentiment was the spiritual contentment they gain from the devotion, faith strengthening, and how they are inspired to experience God in the devotions.
The praying of Angelus at 6 a.m. noon, and 6 p.m. is another new practice. It is starting to earn interest among residents of barangays Kilong, Tetep-an, and Antadao where the sound system reaches their houses.
The community is grateful to the youth for leading the Angelus. The youth namely Ysha Pilay, Lengyat Mayngo, Celynne Kowet, Azineth Lumyeb, Arnel Nafortic, and Jason Sowaken take turns in ringing the bell and in praying the Angelus.
Thank you to the donors of our newly installed sound system namely, Luisa Lipawen and Godeliva Bhend.
The pandemic did not completely stop the Christian communities to encounter the Lord in the devotions.
The BECs of Divine Mercy at Sitio Baang, Our Lady of Lourdes in Aguid, St. Joseph of Kiltepan, and Our Lady of Mount Carmel in Nangonogan had their first experience of eucharistic procession accompanied by eucharistic Latin songs led by the youth. Having young people lead the procession with their voices hovering along the sacred walk was a touching event.
It is our hope that the church devotions will gradually sink into the hearts of the people for consistency and sustainability.
Corpus Christi means “the Body of Christ.”
The Body of Christ has three meanings: the Body of Christ that lived with humanity, suffered, died, and resurrected on the third day; the Body of Christ is the bread that we receive during holy communion; and the Body of the Christ as a baptized people assembled in liturgy and sent to spread the gospel through the church.
The church is the body of Christ in the communities. Who is the church? The church is the living Christian community. It does not refer to the building.
After 107 years of Christianization comes one of its best fruits – Bro. Brayle Bagyan, a son of Sagada and Pangasinan will be ordained at St. Mary Magdalene Church, Lagawe, Ifugao with Bro. Eric of Hungduan. We look forward to December for it will set another history, the first Roman Catholic priestly ordination in Sagada.
We pray for both of them as they start their mission as deacons of the Vicariate of Bontoc-Lagawe.
We have Sagada priests ordained in other dioceses namely, Rev. Marlon Urmaza, Rev. Fr. Ricky Beleno, Rev. Fr. Matthew Dontogan, and Rev. Fr. Froilan Pangda.
Reach me at [email protected] or 0908-727-6735.
April 20, 2024
